1

Creating Opportunities Internationally

2

3

4

The Northern Consortium is a charity that was founded in 1987 to facilitate access to education for international students. The group, keen to share their knowledge and experience, established one of the earliest examples of transnational education.

In 2003, the Northern Consortium, established its wholly-owned subsidiary, NCUK, to continue to create opportunities internationally which improve access to higher education for students globally.

The Northern Consortium’s core charitable object is the advancement of education which it pursues through the activities of NCUK, and directly through the provision of scholarships, awards and investments in the international education market.

NCUK and the Northern Consortium Charity

1987 1997 2002 2004 2006 2010

1995

2014 2016

1999 2003 2005 2009 2011 2015 2017

The N

orth

ern C

onso

rtium

esta

blish

ed. F

irst T

rans

natio

nal

Educ

ation

prov

ision

with

Malays

ian G

over

nmen

t

IFY o

ffere

d in

Kenya

NCUK Pat

hway

esta

blish

ed

China

Laun

ch o

f Pre

-Mas

ters

Prog

ram

me

Japan

& N

igeria

NCUK expa

nds

Afri

can n

etwor

k

Sino-B

ritish

Coll

ege e

stabli

shed

with U

niver

sity o

f Sha

ngha

i for

Scien

ce an

d Tec

hnolo

gy

Sout

h Kor

ea

Pakis

tan

Irelan

d

Colom

bia &

Malt

a

Sino-B

ritish

Coll

ege

10th

Ann

iversa

ry

NCUK 30th

Annive

rsary

UK NARIC

reco

gnise

s

NCUK IFY as

com

para

ble to

A Le

vel

5

Over the last 30 years NCUK has helped tens of thousands of students gain access to leading UK universities, undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. Our alumni are now pursuing successful careers all over the world, and our intent is to continue growing the reach of NCUK to create still more opportunities and support for many more students internationally.

NCUK students are guaranteed a place at one of the 16 universities listed below and have a choice of thousands of degrees at undergraduate and postgraduate level. NCUK Universities include:

About our University Network

This group includes six universities in the Top 200 of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

70% of NCUK students progress to Russell Group universities.

6

As well as universities in the UK, NCUK students have also progressed to universities worldwide, in countries including Australia, Ireland, the United States and Canada. We specialise in helping international students take the next steps in their academic careers. We offer a range of qualifications – whether your students want to start their degree course in the first or second year at university or prepare for postgraduate study – we have something for everyone.

Some of the universities welcoming NCUK Students include:

Give your students their best route to university

Dublin City University University of Central Lancashire

University College CorkDurham University

Griffith College DublinGoldsmiths University of London

Maynooth University University of Hull

Royal College of Surgeons IrelandKings College London

University of AlbertaNewcastle University

California State University, Monterey BayQueens University Belfast

Australian National UniversityRoyal Holloway University of London

University of CanberraUniversity of Nottingham

The University of Newcastle AustraliaSchool of Oriental and African Studies

Monash University University of Southampton

Queensland University of TechnologyUniversity of Sussex

University of Edinburgh The University of Western Australia

7

80% of NCUK students are admitted to their first choice university – and achieve a first or second class degree there.

8

Over 1,600 students have progressed from NCUK Qualifications to study at the University of Leeds and they are consistently well-prepared and well-qualified for study with us.

JACQUI BROWNDirector, International Office

The University of Leeds

9

NCUK can be relied on for independent and objective advice. We are here to serve the interests of international students, partners and our universities. Our only agenda is to help students find the right degree, at the university of their choice, get good results and ultimately, a great career.

For our Partners we work to identify the right model to maximise your business success. Many of our Partners have worked with NCUK for over 10 years. Not only will you benefit from the relationship with NCUK and our universities, we’ll share best practice from across our Global Network. Your options are:

NCUK Delivery Partner and Study Centre

Our most popular business model where you choose one or more of our qualifications to run as part of your school, college or university. This can range from offering one of our NCUK Qualifications to a full in-country degree delivery partnership.

Fees include an accreditation fee to ensure you meet NCUK standards. On an annual basis, you will be charged an annual operating fee and a per student examination and registration fee. You decide on what your tuition fees and charges will be based on your revenue requirements and market conditions.

NCUK Representative Office

This is an option if your students already meet the university entry requirements but you want to offer support in making their applications to university. NCUK provides a one stop support service through our dedicated Admissions and Placement team.

Following an initial audit, NCUK will provide a comprehensive training programme to help you and your staff counsel your students and walk you through the admissions process. A small registration fee will be charged per student.

NCUK Affiliate Partner

Working in conjunction with one or more of our Delivery Partners, this is an ideal option for schools and universities looking for international university routes for their students but not ready to start teaching a complete NCUK qualification.

NCUK does not charge for members of the affiliate scheme. There will be ad hoc charges for involvement in NCUK Services, for example training, attendance of events or other activity. All costs will be agreed in advance and may be delivered by NCUK’s local Delivery Partner.

Delivery Models

10

Student Recruitment:Who’s my audience?

The writing and academic English included in my EAP modules helped me to adjust quickly.

CHENSI CAINCUK IYOne Graduate from China

BA (Hons) Business ManagementLiverpool John Moores University

Studying at a world-leading institution will develop my skills and help me become a competitive forecaster for my family business back home in Islamabad.

ABDUR REHMANNCUK IFY Graduate from Pakistan

BSc (Hons) Accounting and Finance The University of Sheffield

11

NCUK recruits students from over 100 nationalities every year. We work with you to support your recruitment activity and coordinate visits from NCUK universities. When not in-country, NCUK facilitate a range of online support such as remote counselling and online lectures. That’s one of the reasons why 40% of our students come from word of mouth recommendations.

I am really enjoying studying internationally, making new friends, and living independently.

DAVID NGECHUNCUK IFY Graduate from Kenya

BEng (Hons) Mechatronics and Robotics The University of Leeds

The educational level in the UK is very high and there are many opportunities like internships – my language and communication skills have definitely improved.

RIMA HARUTYUNYANNCUK PMP Graduate from Armenia

MSc (Hons) International Business Management Manchester Metropolitan University

12

Join our annual NCUK Partner Conference and benefit from the wider NCUK Global Network. The Conference is attended by Partners, NCUK staff and NCUK University staff. The Conference includes visits to NCUK universities and culminates with the NCUK Prize award Ceremony. The Ceremony celebrates NCUK students who benefit from the annual £50,000 Prize Award Fund.

NCUK Partner Network

Case Study

Dublin International Foundation College (DIFC), Ireland

DIFC became an NCUK partner in 2001. Since that time, they have established an International Study Centre that attracts over 100 students per year across a range of NCUK programmes. Students apply from a wide range of countries and at any one time there are around twenty different nationalities studying with NCUK and DIFC. The student diversity provides an added dimension to the classes. The staff provide exemplary support both in the classroom and with pastoral care. For students moving on to the UK, it also allows them to experience life in the vibrant city of Dublin and a bit of the famous Irish charm.

We choose to offer the NCUK programmes at DIFC because of the quality and international recognition of the programmes. It opens doors when we’re recruiting from new markets. We also benefit from NCUK’s extensive market knowledge and the opportunities of working within the wider partner network.

DIARMUID MORONEYChairman Dublin International Foundation College, Ireland

13

How to Become a Partner

Start your journey by getting in touch by email – or through our website at www.ncuk.ac.uk.

One of our account managers will give you a call back to guide you through the process and will be on hand to help with any queries.

Case Study

The Sino-British College (SBC), China

The Sino-British College (SBC) is an education joint venture between nine of the NCUK Universities and the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology (USST); the nine UK universities are represented collectively through NCUK. SBC has the status of an attached college of USST. To date, over 6,000 students have studied an NCUK programme at SBC. Although the majority are Chinese nationals, over 30 nationalities are represented including Brazilian, Indian and Indonesian. Since 2006, over 1,500 SBC students have progressed to undergraduate degree study in the UK on a 2+2 model. Over 3,000 students have graduated having completed the majority of their UK degree at SBC (a 3+1 or 4+0 study pattern).

Studying an NCUK Qualification in Shanghai for two years helped me to make friends and get used to the English teaching style before I came to university in the UK.

HAOYUN TANGNCUK IYOne GraduateBA (Hons) Business ManagementManchester Metropolitan University

14

NCUK Services

In addition to providing academic and business development support in order to successfully run the NCUK Qualifications, NCUK also provides a range of services to ensure your students maximise their success. It also provides you value added services at no additional charge to maximise your commercial success.

Admissions and Placement

Our Admissions and Placement Service ensures NCUK students get in to the most appropriate degree course at one of our universities. We always act in everyone’s best interest. We offer the following support:

Students NCUK Study Centre, Agent or Representative

Universities

•Application Support •Guarantee of two conditional offers•Expert guidance on documentation needed •Counselling with NCUK and university staff•Support with firm and insurance choices•Support on making a good application

For postgraduate Students:•A unique, single point of application to multiple universities

•Training on giving advice on personal statements and references

•Support on visa guidance

•Offer and acceptance support checklists

•Coordinate and plan visits and events with University staff

•Provide access to University prospectuses and marketing materials

•Link between university and student

•Relationship management system to store and collate all student data in one place

•Quality checking of students prior learning

•Results release and support provided

A cascading clearing support service to ensure any students who don’t meet their grades have options – only available to NCUK students (see below)

NCUK Clearing Support Service

At NCUK, we appreciate that not all students achieve their predicted grades. Because of our unique relationship with the NCUK Universities, we are able to offer a Clearing Support service. If your students have not met the entr y requirements for their first choice university, we can still place them into a degree in their area of interest with one of the NCUK Universities.The students recieve a set of guaranteed offers at the same time that they receive their results. All they have to do is select the offer they prefer and NCUK will do the rest.

15

The NCUK Guarantee

All NCUK Students will receive two Guaranteed conditional offers. NCUK also guarantees any student who passes the qualification a place on a degree course in their area of interest at one of the 16 NCUK Universities, subject to achieving:

• Foundation: 96 NCUK points (three grade Cs)

• Year one Business: 105 credits, 50% average

• Year one Engineering: 96 credits, 50% average

• Pre Masters: Pass in Research Methods

• English C applies to any programme

GUARANTEED ACCESS

TO UNIVERSIT Y

Academic Quality Management

At NCUK, we use our collective 30 year history to take the pressure off you to ensure that all our qualifications are maintained to the same high standard which ensures students will succeed in their studies. We maintain academic standards and enhance quality through the procedures and infrastructure that comprise the NCUK Quality Assurance Framework. The Framework has been approved by the NCUK Universities through the Northern Consortium Board of Trustees. Our procedures are modelled on those commonly in use for collaborative provision in UK universities and conform to Quality Assurance Agency’s Quality Code. An independent auditor appointed by and reporting to the NC Board of Trustees provides oversight. To protect the academic integrity of the Northern Consortium and the NCUK Universities, NCUK has a governance structure that ensures standards are maintained:

External Auditor

Northern Consortium Board of Trustees

NCUK LtdBoard of Directors

CEO

Academic Director

AU

DIT

Programme Quality Committee

Delivery Quality Committee

Programme Validation Panel

All NCUK Delivery Partners are audited by NCUK and we work with our partners to establish robust quality assurance systems to match our needs and the needs of the NCUK universities. Our aim is to create a cycle of quality management that helps you to improve and develop your programmes and maximise and enhance the learning experience for your students.

16

NCUK Qualifications

Our qualifications are of exceptional quality, designed with and for universities.

The qualifications NCUK offers at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels are noted for their extremely high quality and appropriateness. They are developed in collaboration with leading UK universities specifically to address the standards and skills they require of their students and in turn, to equip students to deal with the demands that their university degree will ask of them and successfully adapt to the country they study in.

As you might expect of an organisation founded by leading UK universities, NCUK sets the very highest of academic standards. But, unlike other study programmes, our qualifications combine high academic standards with language, study, social and cultural skills. This combination helps equip our international students with the tools they need to succeed from day one.

NCUK International Foundation Year

Guaranteed Access to thousands of undergraduate degrees

If your students complete high school outside of the UK education system, or in a language other than English, they will normally need to complete a foundation qualification before applying. NCUK’s Foundation is widely accepted in the UK as well as in the US and Australia.

The NCUK International Foundation Year has been deemed comparable to GCE A Levels by UK NARIC, the designated United Kingdom national agency for the recognition and comparison of international qualifications and skills.

NCUK International Year One

Guaranteed Access to the 2nd year of a university Bachelor’s degree.

The NCUK International Year One gives students guaranteed access to the 2nd year of a university Bachelor’s degree and graduate from a university recognised by employers worldwide. A Year Two option is possible in certain subjects. Speak to your NCUK Account Manager for further details.

NCUK Pre-Masters Preparation

The complete solution to gaining your Master’s degree.

The modules give students the high-level academic skills and knowledge they need at Masters level, the advanced language skills needed to study abroad, and the support and guidance to successfully apply to take a Masters in a leading UK or international university. Masters Credit programmes are currently in development. Speak to your NCUK Account Manager for further details.

17

NC

UK

Qu

alifi

cati

on

s &

Hig

her

Ed

uca

tio

n

18

English for Academic Purposes

We offer a range of English Language and Study Skills modules. These can be combined as part of one of our qualifications or as a standalone study option. As you might expect of an organisation founded by leading UK universities, NCUK sets the very highest of academic standards. But, unlike other study programmes, our qualifications combine high academic standards with language, study, social and cultural skills. This combination helps equip our international students with the tools they need to succeed from day one.

These modules aim to improve students’ English language levels and provide an acceptable English language qualification forentry to a UK university without the expense of an IELTS or TOEFL test. It also adds valuable study skills experience for the students. In general, this makes students more prepared for their future academic studies than a test preparation programme.

A number of options are available for students with different English language abilities:

English for Academic Purposes (EAP)

Designed for students who are not native English speakers.

EAP for Proficient Users (EAPPU)

Designed for students who have previously studied in English throughout their education but have an English language qualification that is not accepted for UK visa purposes.

Research and Communication Skills (RCS)

Designed for students who already possess a relevant qualification accepted by universities as proof of English. The programme provides essential preparation for university study.

The NCUK Guarantee

NCUK Qualifications guarantee access to the Northern Consortium universities and are recognised by universities across the UK, including many in the Russell Group, as well as by universities internationally. NCUK students are known to be of very high quality, reflecting the quality of our qualifications, ready to succeed and with proven abilities in the English language.

GUARANTEED ACCESS

TO UNIVERSIT Y

19

Before I heard of NCUK, I honestly had no idea how to apply to an international university.

ROTSY ILON’NY AINA RATSIMBARISONLLM International Business Law

The University of Leeds

© 2017 NCUK Ltd. All rights reserved.

Contact us to start your international collaboration with NCUK:Email together@ncuk.ac.uk orvisit www.ncuk.ac.uk

Join us on Social Media

Help your students build their global network and succeed in their future careers.

NCUK NCUK NCUKTogether